In one of Iceland’s most breathtaking regions, you’ll find an unforgettable natural wonder. The Vatnshellir Cave doesn’t just allow you to get a unique glimpse at the county’s geology. It allows you to go back in time, to one of the island’s major volcanic eruptions.
Due to safety concerns, you cannot explore the caves yourself and will need to book a spot on a guided tour. In this article, we do a deep dive into what makes Vatnshellir such an incredible site, and how you can experience this natural wonder for yourself.
Where is Vatnshellir Cave in Iceland?
The Vatnshellir Cave can be found in the Snæfellsnes National Park, sitting on the southwestern tip of the beautiful Snæfellsnes Peninsula. The nearest towns are Arnarstapi (about a 10-minute drive) and Hellisandur (roughly a 25-minute drive).
What is the Vatnshellir Cave in Iceland?
Vatnshellir is not your normal cave, it’s an 8000-year-old lava tube that lies 35 meters under the ground and is an astounding 200 meters long. That means it’s so deep that you can put 6 giraffes on top of one another inside and then continue doing so for the length of about two football fields! It’s also an incredibly mineral-rich geological wonder, so you’ll see all sorts lining the cave walls: green copper streaks, yellow sulfur streaks, red oxide deposits, and much, much more.
How was the Vatnshellir Lava Tube Cave Formed?
The Vatnshellir Cave is a result of Iceland being the Land of Fire and Ice. During an eruption thousands of years ago, a lava river formed instead of what many envision when thinking about an eruption and lava slowly flowing across the landscape. Because of the cold, the exposed lava on the outside starts to harden.
After some time, the entire outside layer hardens and forms what looks like a pipe with lava flowing through it. Eventually, even the rest of the lava clears out of the pipe, leaving behind what we call a lava tube. It was only when a part of the tube’s roof caved in that a “cave entrance” was created and the lava tube discovered.
So, unlike what you envision a cave to be, this cave’s entrance essentially looks like a hole in the ground. It is also because of the incredible earthly depths this phenomenon originated from that there’s such an incredible amount of minerals found here compared to other caves.
Going on a Vatnshellir Cave Tour: What to Expect
As we already mentioned, you can only explore Vatnshellir via a guided tour. Your tour guide will provide you with all the necessary gear and equipment, so you don’t need to worry about that. The one thing your guide will not be providing you with is clothes to wear, so keep in mind that this lava cave is not warm at all, and you’ll need a couple extra layers to keep the cold at bay.
Tours are conducted all throughout the year, but the number of daily tours usually increases during the busy summer season. Tours usually range between 45 minutes to an hour. Because of the safety issues, no children under the age of 5 will be allowed, and those 6 years and up will only be allowed when accompanied by an adult.
How Much Does a Vatnshellir Lava Cave Tour Cost?
Vatsnhellir tour prices vary depending on the tour operator and experience you’re after, but they tend to look as follows:
- Children (between 6 and 11 years old) = Usually free of charge
- Teens (between 12 and 17 years old) = From +/-$15
- Adults (18+ years old) = From +/- $35
- Students (must have a valid student card) = From +/-$26
A Few Vatnshellir Lava Cave Tour Options
As we already mentioned, you’ll find plenty of tour operators and local guides offering tour packages to explore Vatnshellir Lava Cave, but the following come highly recommended:
Visiting Vatnshellir: An Adventure Through Time
As you can see from the cave’s origin story, visiting Vatnshellir truly is a journey through time. Each step is walking through 8000 years of geological history with sights unlike you’ve ever seen before (and very few people ever will).
Many choose to add Vatnshellir as a stop along their Icelandic road trip. If this is also something you’re considering, we highly recommend that you rent a campervan in Iceland and book a spot at an Arnarstapi Campsite or a Hellissandur Campground. That way, you can either get an early start or have a relaxing end to your Vatnshellir adventure.